[MagniKhan]

Thanks for the info, I'm on my way to get some right now!!

[grapeman]

wow - I have a 50 gal drum/rez set up in my room. I have problems with FG off and on so I started using Mosquito dunks. They work sometimes and sometimes they don't. I have a whole dunk floating in my rez (which is overkill since you measure square feet of surface area) and the other day I lifted the plastic flap to the rez and there are FG's living in a plastic drum with MD's floating in there. I doubled the dunks and the FG's laughed at me.

I'm getting pissed now.

Grape: I have heard several people say this and I am beginning to think your dunks were made in China or something and are FAKE dunks! (You can't trust them Chinese.. lol)

I wonder if there is also a shelf life on them?

What brand did you use? I am curious! No gnats here for me. I like doing research on this subject. thanks

[Nova2000]

Hi there guys! I’m new to “Tomato” Cough! Growing and this is my first post.
I have had a bad time with Fungus Gnats too. I’m sure they came in the compost bought from a local garden centre and exploded into life in the veg room, weakening plants and making it hard to take cuttings.

Thanks LolaGal I like the Idea of the Mosquito dunks crushed and sprinkled over the soil and watered in. If only I had heard of these and Gnatrol a few months ago.

I did a fair bit of research on FG’s and hope this helps you guys.
The adults live 7 to 10 days and lay their eggs on moist soil surface. Females lay up to 100 to 300 eggs in batches of 2 to 30 each in decaying organic matter. Eggs hatch in 4 to 6 days; larvae feed for 12 to 14 days. The pupa stage is about 5 to 6 days. 28/36 days from egg to dead.

Plant damage symptoms appear as unexpected wilting, low vigour, poor growth, leaves yellowing and defoliation.

They can be controlled by the Predatory mite, Hypoaspis miles. The H. miles, is a voracious predator of mites and insects that spend most part of their life cycle in the soil, including Gnat larvae and pupae of thrips. Once introduced, H. miles usually can reproduce and establish.

First, prevention should be your goal, and this is to avoid over watering, especially in high organic soils.

Adults are attracted to bright lights, mainly in the blue spectrum like PL’s and fluorescent,
If you are having problem with FG’s in a hydro set up? Then I would suggest looking elsewhere for any infestation. House plants or mothers if in compost, hydro and compost grow in the same room, or even areas in the garden which might be a breeding ground.

Fungus Gnats need a damp soil/compost medium to lay their eggs. It’s the hot, humid and bright condition attracting the adults to a hydro only set up. Using Mosquito dunks in a hydro set up is ineffective at best for killing Gnat larvae.

I managed to wipe out my infestation by covering my pots with clingfilm which can be lifted for watering, but stop the females from getting to the soil to lay their eggs, and thus break’s the life cycle. I also microwave any new compost before using it. This seems to have worked for me, not seem a gnat for a few weeks now... fingers crossed.

If... or when I get them again I’ll give the Gnatrol or Mosquito dunks ago.

Originally Posted by Nova2000

Hi there guys! I’m new to “Tomato” Cough! Growing and this is my first post.
I have had a bad time with Fungus Gnats too. I’m sure they came in the compost bought from a local garden centre and exploded into life in the veg room, weakening plants and making it hard to take cuttings.
Thanks LolaGal I like the Idea of the Mosquito dunks crushed and sprinkled over the soil and watered in. If only I had heard of these and Gnatrol a few months ago.
I did a fair bit of research on FG’s and hope this helps you guys.
The adults live 7 to 10 days and lay their eggs on moist soil surface. Females lay up to 100 to 300 eggs in batches of 2 to 30 each in decaying organic matter. Eggs hatch in 4 to 6 days; larvae feed for 12 to 14 days. The pupa stage is about 5 to 6 days. 35 days from egg to dead.
Plant damage symptoms appear as unexpected wilting, low vigour, poor growth, leaves yellowing and defoliation.
They can be controlled by the Predatory mite, Hypoaspis miles. The H. miles, is a voracious predator of mites and insects that spend most part of their life cycle in the soil, including Gnat larvae and pupae of thrips. Once introduced, H. miles usually can reproduce and establish.
First, prevention should be your goal, and this is to avoid over watering, especially in high organic soils.
Adults are attracted to bright lights, mainly in the blue spectrum like PL’s and fluorescent,
If you are having problem with FG’s in a hydro set up? Then I would suggest looking elsewhere for any infestation. House plants or mothers if in compost, hydro and compost grow in the same room, or even areas in the garden which might be a breeding ground. Fungus Gnats need a damp soil/compost medium to lay their eggs. It’s the hot, humid and bright condition attracting the adults to a hydro only set up. Using Mosquito dunks in a hydro set up is ineffective at best for killing Gnat lava.
I managed to wipe out my infestation by covering my pots with clingfilm which can be lifted for watering, but stop the females from getting to the soil to lay their eggs, and thus break’s the life cycle. I also microwave any new compost before using it. This seems to have worked, not seem a gnat for a few weeks now... fingers crossed.
If... or when I get them again I’ll give the Gnatrol or Mosquito dunks ago.

Good first post! Welcome to ICMag!

I am way to lazy to microwave my dirt, but good idea.

I just throw a little dunk on top of all new dirt, as a preventative measure, no gnats here! (or mosquitoes lol)

[grapeman]

Originally Posted by LolaGal

Grape: I have heard several people say this and I am beginning to think your dunks were made in China or something and are FAKE dunks! (You can't trust them Chinese.. lol)

I wonder if there is also a shelf life on them?

What brand did you use? I am curious! No gnats here for me. I like doing research on this subject. thanks

This brand from Lowe's. Is it the right one?
Thanks Lola

Yup, that is the same one I used! Thanks for posting. I was curious.

[MagniKhan]

I crumbled some up on my soil plants, I only found one gnat ( which I promptly dispatched), so I'll be looking out for larva. I'll put down a little potato after I've watered once or twice.
I'll keep you posted on how they work!

[Nova2000]

Thanks LolaGal for the welcome
I Just nuke a small amount to top up, and for fresh cuttings now, so it's no longer hard work

Originally Posted by LolaGal

Good first post! Welcome to ICMag!

I am way to lazy to microwave my dirt, but good idea.

I just throw a little dunk on top of all new dirt, as a preventative measure, no gnats here! (or mosquitoes lol)

IMO, putting out a piece of potato is just making good breeding ground? Are the larva supposed to suck on it? or what?

oh, I get it, the adults are gonna lay eggs on the tater? sounds messy and time consuming. I would not want to encourage molds to grow in my grow?? just my 2 cents.

I use Miracle Grow soil, and it has free fungus gnats in every bag!! But I left it in the trunk of the car and let it get really really cold. But that is all I am willing to do. I am just plain lazy.

That's why I like the dunks. EZ to use, low maintenance method. It will kill all the larva so eventually no more adults.